Main Navigation

Main Content

A non-profit publication of the Office of the University Relations of Virginia Tech,
including The Conductor, a special section of the Spectrum printed 4 times a year

Bruce E. Reed

By Sally Harris

Spectrum Volume 17 Issue 27 - April 6, 1995

Bruce Reed tries never to let anyone give up.

This year's winner of an Alumni Association's W.E. Wine Award for Excellence
in Teaching, Reed says that, in teaching mathematics, he likes to build some
confidence in his students.

"I find that is one of the biggest problems, especially in some of the
freshmen courses I teach," he said. "I keep the students' morale as high as I
can."

He has developed a special voluntary course for at-risk students. The class
meets five days per week for three hours' credit. "I break things up into
smaller pieces for the students," he said, "sort of a constant review."

His techniques evidently work. "Bruce Reed's excellence in promoting in-depth
learning extends to students at all levels--from advanced math majors who
consistently express admiration for his teaching to previously
unmotivated students who become involved and excited about their success," the
nomination packet said. "Bruce builds confidence by knowing his students
personally and tailoring his instruction to each one. To paraphrase one admirer
of his teaching, students leave Bruce Reed's class not only with a command of
the material they have learned, but also with great self-confidence."

Reed was named outstanding professor in the mathematics department in 1992 and
1993 by the Student Chapter of Mathematical Association of America. He
consistently receives nearly perfect scores on student evaluations--with his
last 86 students ranking him a perfect 4.0.

Reed developed the mathematical-sciences sequence for the university Core
Curriculum. He has served as a mentor for four graduate students and four
instructors over the past three years. He annually administers the diagnostic
testing for about 450 students, makes subsequent placement recommendations, and
meets with participants to discuss the results.

Reed served as assistant department head from 1972 until 1989 while teaching a
full course load. Students and peers have the highest regard for his teaching.
"His students always come first," a student wrote. He "has a great ability to
communicate and explain," said another. "You have restored my confidence that I
can do math," another wrote. "I have never met a student who was in Reed's
class and who had a negative comment about him," said former mathematics head
Wayne Patty. "The student has a semester-long dialog with Bruce," said
colleague Peter Haskell. Rita Purdy, associate dean of the College of Human
Resources, summed it up: "I think he is a miracle worker and wish we could
clone him."